The Directorate of Refugee Administration is guided by the Namibian Refugees (Recognition Control Act) Act no. 2 of 1999 and the universal level, is governed by the 1951 UN Convention, the 1967 Protocol relating to the status of Refugees and the 1969 OAU Convention governing the specific aspects of Refugee problems in Africa.

Asylum Seeker on arrival in Namibia should report to the law enforcement at Osire Refugee Settlement. On arrival in Osire he/she will be registered and served with the application form for refugee status and issued with arrival form and also entered into the master list for food ration and shelter.

He/she will be interviewed for refugee status and such interview will be presented to the Namibian Refugees Committee (NRC) for consideration and recommendation to Commissioner for Refugees to grant or to refuse the refugee status to persons who have applied in terms of the act for such status; once he/she is granted refugee status will be issued with refugee identification document.

If he/she is rejected by the Commissioner for Refugees will be served with notice letter informing him/her that if not satisfied with the decision of the Commissioner he/she have 14 days to appeal to Namibia Refugees Appeal Board. Once the case was final rejected by that body he/she is given 90 days’ notice to leave the Republic of Namibia and the names are forwarded to Immigration and Border Control.

On the other hand if a recognized refugees wish to travel outside Namibia for reasons of study, medical and business purpose, he/she will be issued with Namibia Travel Document if he/ or she have applied and a payment of N$ 80,00 should be paid to the Ministry after approval.

In Osire Refugee Settlement if refugees and asylum Seekers request for exit they are issued with the exit permit depending on the reason given to the Settlement Administrator by the applicant to visit other towns, the exit permit is issued by the Settlement Administrator.